Plastivore

Plastivore is an organism that consumes and metabolizes plastic materials. The term is derived from the Latin plastikos, meaning "capable of being shaped or molded", and the Greek vore, meaning "to eat". Plastivores are a recent discovery in the field of microbiology and environmental science, and they have significant potential for plastic pollution mitigation.

Overview

Plastivores are primarily microorganisms, including certain species of bacteria and fungi, that have evolved to use plastic as a source of carbon and energy. They achieve this through the production of specialized enzymes that can break down the complex polymers in plastic into simpler, digestible compounds.

Discovery

The first plastivore, a bacterium named Ideonella sakaiensis, was discovered in 2016 in a waste recycling facility in Japan. This bacterium was found to degrade polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a common type of plastic used in bottles and packaging. Since then, other plastivores have been identified, including a fungus named Aspergillus tubingensis that can break down plastic in a matter of weeks.

Potential Applications

The discovery of plastivores has opened up new possibilities for tackling the global problem of plastic pollution. These organisms could potentially be used in bioremediation strategies to degrade plastic waste in the environment. However, more research is needed to understand the ecology of these organisms and to ensure that their use does not have unintended ecological consequences.

Challenges

While the potential of plastivores is promising, there are several challenges to their use. One major challenge is the slow rate at which these organisms break down plastic. Another challenge is ensuring that the byproducts of plastic degradation are not harmful to the environment or human health.

See Also

• Biodegradable Plastic
• Microbial Degradation of Plastic
• Environmental Impact of Plastic

References

Plastivore Resources
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